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BVL Pays it Forward to CBW Phone Card Effort by Mary Lynly

December 31st is the deadline for donations to the California Bowling Writers Phone Cards for the Troops fundraiser. Sincere thanks go to current donors who are honoring loved ones and supporting CBW. Among our donors each year is the California USBC BVL program who sent us $3,000 to add to our donor funds. We are so grateful to be included in their charitable giving.

California was responsible for the Bowlers BVL Fund being what it is today when CWBA president Elva Stevens of Stockton participated in the Wings of Mercy drive to help WIBC purchase three ambulance planes during World War II. Patriotism was high, men were at war and women were doing men’s jobs and bowling was about to explode. Elva decided this tremendous effort was too good to just let die and the California BVL Classic tournament was born – now known as the Helen Duval BVL Tournament named after long time National BVL Chair Helen Duval. Soon the nation’s local and state associations followed our lead and these tournaments and state roll offs were being held throughout the bowling congress and associations were raising money for VA and Military Hospitals throughout the U.S. This continues today.

The first donation for California was over $500 and ultimately annual donations rose to $200,000 and $300,000 – the highest being $350,000 in California and now nearly ten million over the years. Although bowling is solicited for other charitable fundraisers BVL is still first in the hearts of our bowlers with donations going to VA and Military hospitals and Outreach Centers across America. At one time, California’s BVL supplied around 80% of the TV’s for the hospitals.

The Phone Cards for the Troops is special in that it connects loved ones. Our cards are sent to arrive on Valentines Day and we hear from family members how special it is to be able to talk to a family member who is far away fighting to keep us safe and free. Since 2004 to date we have raised $67,615.35 – Total now $6016 so far for 2014-15

Each year Bette Addington donates a Tony Reyes Memorial bowling ball to be drawn for among all phone card donors and this year is no different. The winner will be announced after the first of the year.